FACTBOX: Reactions to Pakistan's emergency rule

(Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday, deploying troops and sacking a top judge in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against political rivals and Islamist militants.

Below is some of the national and international reaction.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE:

She criticized the measures as "highly regrettable".

"The U.S. has made very clear that it does not support extra-constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule."

"We will be urging the commitment to hold free and fair elections be kept and we will be urging calm on all parties."

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT:

"The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency."

"A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule."

"The United States stand with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism."

"We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay."

INDIA'S MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS:

"We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through. We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue."

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND:

"We recognize the threat to peace and security faced by the country but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism."

"I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today which will take Pakistan further from these goals. It is vital that the governance acts in accordance with the constitution and abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule."